Deadline: 06-Aug-2025
Love Wānaka offers an opportunity for visitors and the tourism industry to support community-led efforts to protect the natural environment, the local treasures it holds, and the people who live there. The initiative provides annual, contestable funding to local charitable organisations working in climate, conservation, and biodiversity. These grants are designed to generate tangible environmental benefits for the Lake Wānaka region, both immediately and in the long term.
Organisations can apply for funding to cover a range of needs. These include programme costs that support specific parts of a broader initiative, project costs for one-off time-bound activities with clear outcomes, and operational costs tied to ongoing work. Support is also available for social enterprise models run by charitable organisations, as long as the funds are not used for private financial gain.
Eligible organisations can request funding between $5,000 and $10,000. To qualify, applicants must be registered charitable entities that provide a public benefit and operate within the geographic area served by Love Wānaka. This includes Haast Pass to the north and Cardrona Saddle to the south, covering places like Hāwea, Luggate, Albert Town, Cardrona, and Makarora.
All applications must demonstrate a clear environmental benefit to the region. Eligible efforts include native revegetation, biodiversity enhancement, pest control, protection of waterways, and waste minimisation, among others. Successful projects should show long-term benefits and create opportunities for both locals and visitors to engage in or observe the positive impacts. Projects that align with Love Wānaka’s values of visitor behaviour change, regenerative travel, and hands-on conservation experiences will be given strong consideration.
For more information, visit Love Wānaka.
